Alcides Ghiggia, Uruguayan soccer great who scored 1950 World Cup-winning

He was the last surviving member of Uruguay’s 1950 World Cup-winning team.

― Reuters picMONTEVIDEO, July 17 ― Alcides Ghiggia, the Uruguayan striker who silenced the Maracana at the 1950 World Cup by scoring the victor against Brazil, died of a heart attack at the age of 88 yesterday, the 65th anniversary of Uruguay’s famous win.

The victory itself was later known as the “Maracanazo“.

The Maracana stadium, the largest of its time had been especially built by Brazil to crown itself as the best in what has since been described as the “beautiful game” (despite FIFA). However, Juan Schiaffino equalised for Uruguay midway through the second half, before Ghiggia netted from an unlikely angle 11 minutes from time. “The biggest moment of my life was the Maracana”.

“Scorer of the Uruguayan goal that claimed the title in the World Cup held in Brazil, Ghiggia was notable for his performance on the field and respected despite sadness felt by the Brazilian people following the defeat”. “The Pope, Frank Sinatra and me”.

The Uruguayan government has declared a day of national mourning and flags will fly at half mast on Friday.

Oscar Tabarez, the current coach of Uruguay’s national team, said Ghiggia “meant a lot to Uruguayans”.

“It is impressive what that man did”. Ghiggia talked about that goal for the rest of his life and how it silenced an entire country.

Born December 22, 1926, in Montevideo, Ghiggia played for both Uruguay and Italy’s national teams in his career.

His good form in South America didn’t go unnoticed and he soon earned a move to Europe, playing for Roma and Milan before eventually ending his career back in his homeland with Danubio.

Ghiggia was visibly overwhelmed when he was honoured in 2009 at the Maracaña, placing his footprints in a plastic mold along with other greats of the game like Pelé, Eusébio and Franz Beckenbauer.

He was outspoken during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when he criticized Uruguay forward Luis Suarez for biting a player. My marker didn’t stop me, why didn’t they blame him?